GUILTY PLEASURE

While I have never claimed to be a strict minimalist, I do tend to gravitate toward interiors with less ornament.  There is something truly beautiful about spaces with crisp clean lines, layers of texture and loads of natural light.  A connection with nature is important and pops of color are strategically placed to enhance  the aforementioned qualities.  But there's something that you all should know---I love color, and I LOVE crazy.  Its true.  Many of my personal designs tend to juxtapose fluidity with strict geometry (stay tuned and I promise I will share some with you soon).  So, when I see a designer like Karim Rashid just going for it, I  have to applaud him.  So, here's a little sneak peak of what he's up to.  Love it or hate it, he's not apologizing and he's not holding back, so he gets my vote!

Kasa Digitalia :: Milan, 2008
Kasa Digitalia was designed to "capture the essence of multi-sensory living in our digital age".  The design and construction pushed the limits of high pressure laminate as a structural material.

You know Karim Rahid has GOT to be a master of persuasion.  I would love to be a fly on the wall when he is pitching his designs to a client.  Granted, he is definitely known for his rather "out there" aesthetic, but still...This diagram, I feel like, was one of the first things he should the client.  "As you can see, we're just going to do some splashes of color here, here and here...

And as the design went on..."We've expanded on the previously approved floor plan, and have begun working out many of the details and thinking about the finishes..."

This 3D model is somewhat accurate and very communicative of his intentions, so job well done by Karim, and hats off to the ballsy clients that were willing to go down this road.  Does this type of space work everywhere?  No, I don't think so.  But when it does, I'm sure it will prove to be an experience unlike any other!

Well, I feel MUCH better with that all off my chest.  Now everyone go eat a pound of chocolate or down a bottle of wine, so I don't feel so guilty ;)

Happy Weekend Everybody!  Get out and do something you love...even if it is a little crazy!!

Images[via]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.

PATTERN

Korean Pavillion :: Mass Studies
Shanghai Expo 2010

Patterning in architecture has always been a fascinating thing.  Humans are obsessed with symmetry and regularity, and make a point of calling out designs that are purposely not constructed in such a way as asymmetrical or organic.  But is there a point where a pattern or system of organization becomes too complex for us to read?  Enter the Korean Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo in 2010.  It's clear that there is some type of organizing principle present, but the architect has chosen to express this in less stringent regularity, allowing the building to simultaneously exist as both regular and organic.

The driving concept behind this design was the idea of permeation and convergence.  Culturally, Korea has had much outside influence(permeation) from China and Japan, mostly due to geometry.   

Mass Studies manipulated characters from the Korean alphabet to converge in a specific way to express space.

I can only imagine how this space would feel, but the level of interaction with finishes is likely unmatched!

It's as if the letters are telling some king of story as they articulate the form an façade of the pavilion.

At night, the building seems to take on an entirely different personality!  Its amazing how lighting can completely transform the mood.

Simply a stunning formal expression of culture and history. 

Images [via]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.

REMEBER THE CLASSICS

Polka-dots...I just love them!  This reintroduction of the classic element in modern architecture, interiors, and fashion is simply irresistible, and the possibilities are seemingly endless.

Yves Saint Laurent Fashion Runway Show.

Architect Kidd. Bangkok

Love black and white photography.

Polka-dot interior from Vogue Italia.  Photography by Tim Walker.

and naturally, Sergio Rossi polka-dot shoes.

via [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.

Woven

Fashion and architecture have so many commonalities that sometimes I find it impossible to separate the two.  Structure, form, materiality function--when executed properly, all elements meld together to produce a certain incomparable beauty.

Herve Leger Spring Summer 2011

Thomas Heatherwick's London Guy's Hospital

Images via [1, 2]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.

Graphic

Sometimes having one, simple, direct spatial intervention is all you need to create a truly unforgettable atmosphere.

Lexington Avenue Agency :: Masquespacio

The challenge of this space was to create two different programmatic activities in a relatively small space.  The modeling agency needed an area for the receptionist and clients, but also a place to take quick photos when models come in for an interview.  By graphically designating space with bold stripes of black and yellow, the eye creates just as much designation of space as there would be if a wall would have been in place.  In reality, the two spaces are separated by nothing more than a transparent industrial curtain.

Duetsche Grammophon :: Pott Architects

Berlin Headquarters

Pott Architects created a collaborative office with open communication for Duetsche Grammophon, a German recording company know for its recordings of Classical music.  I really respect not only the architects, but also the clients for projecting themselves into modernity even in a house with great respect for the classics.  The juxtaposition of two very different positions says, "Hey, we've still got it".

Images vi [1-3, 4-7]

DESIGN. INSPIRE.REPEAT.

Floating

The linear ordering of the flowers organic shape creates a beautiful, unobtrusive statement.  The addition of this natural element to an otherwise strictly rectilinear space, rich with crisp details and impeccable organization, lightens the mood without sacrificing elegance

Images [via]

DESIGN. INSPIRE.REPEAT.

Just A Thought

Design can be a lot of work.....a whole BIG, GIANT lot of work!  As my hardest critic, I have spent many sleepless nights pondering over the tiniest details of  a design, and toiling for hours to find the "perfect" solution, but somehow, I keep coming back for more!  Of course I'm partial to design because I'm incapable of looking at the world from anything but a designers perspective, but that doesn't mean that I don't get tired, annoyed, and down right mad at times!  But at the end of the day...I still love it!  I hope you have a passion that tortures you in the same way :)    

Images via [1. kat+muse, 2]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.

NO ECHO

Dan Holdsworth :: No Echo

Photographer Dan Holdsworth uses only traditional photographic methods, often characterized by extremely long exposure times.  His images typically reflect his interest of the sublime, capturing futuristic scenes, often with the appearance of being frozen in time.  Holdsworth's series, No Echo, is a large scale collection capturing a variety of anechoic chambers.  Anechoic chambers, used frequently by sound engineers and recording studios, are designed to reduce the transmission of sound waves and eliminate echoes completely.  Incredible is how perfectly Holdsworth has captured this environment-- the images themselves, appear to be silent, but at the same time, full of life.

Enjoy...

Happy Weekend!!

Images [via]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT. 

Something Lovely

The Clutch Project by Scott Jarvie began as a microscopic exploration of the structural composition of trees and the directional properties of Capillary tubes.  Pictured is the Clutch Chair, constructed of 10, 000 drinking straws.

Images [via]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.

LANDING STRIP

Images [via]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.

PAPER OR PLASTIC?

Decisions, decisions!  

The Oly Bracelet, designed by Gonçalo Campos Studio is a downloadable paper bracelet that is intended to be assembled by the user, and if necessary, disposed of after use. This could be a very interesting idea when thinking about costume or occasional jewelry.

The "O", designed by Tokujin  Yoshiako and produced by Issey Mijake for Seiko Instuments, Inc. is meant to appear as if it it were formed by water.  Using a special transparent, and highly reflective plastic material, the "O" reflects the surrounding and gradually blends into its environment.

Images via [1&2, 3-5]

DESIGN. INSPIRE.REPEAT.

Just A Little Eye Candy

Colors from around the world...

Chicago

Lyon

Paris

Berlin

I love how even with a very similar range of colors, you can see glimpses of each city's personality.  From soft and smooth in France, to the well travelled stairs in Chicago, to the surge of modernity in Berlin, design is not only an expression of culture and trends, but an indication of history, current societal  values, and hopes for the future.  For those of us who love design, we are the lucky ones.  We view the world differently and are incapable of finding beauty in even the most obscure places.

Images via [1-3, 4]

DESIGN. INSPIRE. REPEAT.